LITURGY AND THE SACRAMENTS

OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMUNAL PRAYER Liturgy is the Church’s OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMUNAL PRAYER (Sacraments, Funerals, Liturgy of the Hours)

OFFICIAL PUBLIC COMMUNAL PRAYER (a spontaneous prayer service is not official) PUBLIC (open to all) COMMUNAL (we worship as a COMMUNITY – equality, solidarity, cooperation) PRAYER (lifting up of our hearts to God)

Liturgical Books Roman Missal Used by the priest at Mass, contains all the prayers of the Mass Lectionary for Mass Contains the readings for Mass, first, second, responsorial psalm and gospel acclamations Book of Gospels Contains only the Gospels Rite of Baptism for children Contains the rituals necessary for baptism. Each sacrament and other blessings and consecrations has a separate book Liturgy of the Hours Readings, hymns and prayers for the seven “hours” of the day. There is a book for each “season” of the year

God’s work of salvation in which we are called to participate Liturgy is God’s work of salvation in which we are called to participate Ritual, repeated, meaningful symbols and actions Decreed by Jesus “Do this in Memory of Me”

Liturgy is the prayer of the Church, in heaven, on Earth and in Purgatory We are connected to all of those outside of time and space, Mary, angels, saints, etc. Communion of Saints: Heaven Earth Purgatory People on Earth pray for those in Purgatory, who get to Heaven, and then pray for those on Earth!

“Through Christ Our Lord” Christ is present in all liturgy In the ordained minister who acts in the person of Jesus. In the assembly of people, as the “Body of Christ” In the Scripture, the “Word of God” that is an essential element of every liturgy In the Eucharist, in a special way, Jesus is truly present in Body and Blood

Trinitarian Doxology – Liturgy is Trinitarian Through Him, with Him, in Him, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.

Liturgical Calendar Celebrates the whole of the Paschal Mystery, from the Incarnation to Pentecost Purple Waiting, penance White/Gold Joy Green Hope

Advent: Begins the Liturgical year a time of preparation, 4 weeks (22-28 days) before Christmas To celebrate the birth of God made flesh To celebrate Jesus coming into our own hearts To prepare for the final coming of Jesus

Christmas: Begins on Dec Christmas: Begins on Dec. 25th and ends with the Baptism of Jesus (3rd Sunday after Christmas) Includes: Epiphany (aka Little Christmas/Three Kings Day) on the 12th day of Christmas (revelation to the Gentiles) - 1/6* Feast of the Holy Innocents (12/28 – infants massacred by Herod), Feast of the Holy Family, and Feast of Mary, Mother of God (1/1)

Ordinary Time I and II: Numbered with ordinal numbers. Two sections in the year, 1st between Christmas and Lent 2nd between Pentecost and Advent.

Lent: Based on Jesus fasting 40 days in desert Begins on Ash Wednesday (46 calendar days, Sundays don’t count) Encouraged to fast, pray and give alms Focus on what Jesus did for us

Easter Triduum Three Days - remember suffering and death of Jesus Thursday evening - Sunday evening (in the Jewish tradition) Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday: Reflect on Passion narrative, venerate the Cross Easter Sunday: Easter Vigil on Saturday evening- great celebration with candles, fire, water and the welcoming of new members

Easter Season: Easter Sunday - Pentecost Sunday, 50 days later. Liturgy - new life 40 days after Easter: Ascension Thursday: Jesus ascended back into heaven. 50 days after Easter: Pentecost: the Church is revealed and we, like the apostles, are sent forth to carry out Jesus’ mission to the world

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION There are six days (other than Sunday) when Catholics are obligated to go to Mass. The six vary by country – our patron saint is the Blessed Mother, so we have several Mary feasts. 12/8 – Immaculate Conception – Mary being conceived in HER mother’s womb – 9/8 is her b-day 1/1 – Mary, Mother of God 8/15 – Feast of the Assumption – Mary taken up to heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life

12/25 – Christmas 40 days after Easter – Ascension Thursday 11/1 – All Saints Day

?!? In English, please? Ex opera operato: This phrase points to the truth that God is always present and always at work in the Sacraments. “From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and His Spirit acts in and through it”. God’s side of the partnership, of the sacramental encounter, is always reliable. God always offers grace in the Sacraments, and the Sacraments “confer the grace that they signify” Ex opere operantis: The effectiveness of the Sacraments for our lives is not automatic. It is directly linked to our readiness and attitude when we receive them. The Sacraments demand, even as they empower, our lived response. ‘They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.’ The Church uses this phrase, meaning “from the power of the person taking part in the work”, to teach this truth. The graces offered in the Sacraments need to be freely accepted and then lived. God’s grace always comes with a responsibility, or, better still, with a “response-ability”, to live as Jesus’ disciples.

Ex opera operato It works! God is reliable – He always does his half of the deal. We DO receive the graces in the sacraments!

Ex opere operatantis But the correct disposition is required! i.e. Not forgiven if you’re not really sorry. Marriage not valid if you go into it with the wrong intentions.